Birkirkara are back in the race for qualification to European football when they beat neighbours Balzan 3-1 at the National Stadium.

The result lifted Birkirkara to just three points behind third-placed Balzan.

The Stripes took the lead on 34 minutes when Srdjan Dimitrov hit a curling drive that gave no chance to Balzan goalkeeper Ivan Janjusevic.

Balzan fought back and they drew level on 56 minutes when Bojan Kaljevic turned home a low cross by Dylan Grima.

Photo: Mark Zammit CordinaPhoto: Mark Zammit Cordina

But Birkirkara soon regained the lead on 64 minutes when Elkin Serrano Valero floored Dimitrov inside the area and Gonzalo Malan blasted the ball into the net.

Balzan threw more men forward in search of an equaliser but it was Birkirkara who added a third six minutes from time.

Vito Plut, who had just replaced Dimitrov, was put clear by Edward Herrera and the Slovenian slotted past Janjusevic.

Birkirkara’s Srdjan Dimitrov was voted as the BOV Player of the match.

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